Chapter 14 – Summer Hustles & Old Flames

The morning sun filtered through the blinds, painting golden stripes across Ivan's bedroom wall. It was one of those rare, peaceful mornings where everything felt still—too still. Ivan sat at his desk, staring at his notebook, the words "Make Money. Get Rich. Secure the Future." scribbled in bold letters across the top.

But the numbers weren't adding up.

"I can't just wait until I'm fourteen to start making money," Ivan muttered, flipping through the pages. "The sooner I start stacking cash, the faster I can move on the bigger plays."

That's when it hit him—a summer job. In Germany, Ferienjobs (holiday jobs) were common for teens, especially during summer break. While he was technically still thirteen, some places didn't care if they knew the right people.

"Grandma has connections," he thought, grabbing his hoodie and heading into the kitchen.

His grandmother stood at the stove, stirring a pot of soup, the smell of spices filling the air.

"Grandma," Ivan started, "do you know anyone who might need help for the summer? Like… a Ferienjob?"

She raised an eyebrow but didn't hesitate. "Actually, yes. A friend of mine owns a small bar downtown. She always needs help during the summer—early shifts, though. Nothing too heavy."

Ivan's heart skipped. Perfect.

"Think she'd hire me?"

His grandmother gave him a long look, like she was sizing up his sudden burst of ambition. "You're a bit young, but… you're reliable. I'll give her a call."

The Summer Gig

By the end of the week, Ivan found himself behind the counter of a cozy, rustic bar. It wasn't anything fancy—wooden tables, old posters on the walls—but it had its charm. More importantly, it had tips.

The shifts were short—four hours in the morning—but they added up. Cleaning tables, serving drinks (non-alcoholic during his shifts), and prepping the place before the evening rush. The owner, Claudia, was a no-nonsense woman who appreciated hard workers, and Ivan made sure to impress.

Tips trickled in. His hourly pay wasn't huge, but with tips included, it wasn't bad for a thirteen-year-old. Every euro he made went straight into his Jugendkonto.

Between shifts and helping his brother with study sessions, the summer was falling into a productive rhythm.

Late Night Thoughts

But some nights, when everything went quiet, Ivan's mind wandered where it shouldn't.

Lying in bed, the soft tick of the wall clock filling the silence, Ivan's thoughts drifted to her.

Her.

The girl he'd met when he was twenty—the one who had become his wife, then his biggest regret. But it wasn't that simple. Even after everything, there were moments that stuck with him. Her laugh. The way she'd hold him when things got bad. The softness in her eyes during those rare, perfect days.

And yet… it had all fallen apart.

"But damn, I just want to hug her again," Ivan thought, staring at the ceiling. "I miss that. Even if I know how it ends."

But he knew better now. He wasn't the same kid he'd been back then.

"I can't risk it. Not now. I'm thirteen. I need to wait until I'm twenty again. Same moment. Same place. I'll meet her the right way this time."

The memories stung, but there was also hope buried underneath. He could do it differently this time—if he played it smart. He pulled out his phone and scrolled through old memories, the kind that felt both close and distant.

That's when he remembered Yubo—the app where they'd first met.

"I'll find her there again," Ivan thought, determination flickering in his chest. "But not now. I can't risk messing it up."

He opened his notes app and typed:

FUTURE PLAN:

• Yubo App → Wait until I'm twenty. Find her again.

• Don't screw it up this time.

It was simple, but it was enough.

Ivan sighed, closing his phone. "I'll see you again. But when I'm ready."

For now, there was money to be made, plans to follow, and a future to secure. The past could wait… for now.